For anyone who’s in the market for a new reptile or amphibian, or for those who already have one or just want to know more about them, New England’s largest reptile expo is returning to the Granite State.

“There are always quite a few people who come who want to buy a reptile,” said expo organizer Bruce Lowder of Animal Encounters, a New York-based animal education outreach program. “But it’s also a neat way for families with kids to come and walk around and check out all the animals, even if you’re not necessarily looking into buying one right now.”

The first of four expos at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester will be held on Sunday, Jan. 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Three other shows are planned for later this year, on April 2, June 25 and Oct. 8.

Lowder said the Manchester shows often include reptile vendors native to New Hampshire and other parts of New England. Vendors include everyone from reptile breeders and pet supplies sellers to rescue groups and educational programs.

Lowder said expo goers can expect to see several New Hampshire snake or lizard breeders, including CV Exotics of East Hampstead and Deb’s Exotics from Derry, as well as other groups from regions of Vermont, Maine and upstate New Hampshire and New York. The Northeastern Reptile Welfare League, based in the Upper Valley, is also expected to attend.

“In addition to companies coming in to sell supplies and tanks and cages, we’ll have some people selling reptile-themed artwork and jewelry,” he said. “We’ll also have people give informal talks to give potential customers an unbiased third-party opinion about whether having a reptile as a pet is suitable for them … but they can also just have a chance to meet hundreds if not thousands of other like-minded people and socialize with them.”

The more common domesticated animals you might see at the expo include leopard geckos, ball pythons, bearded dragons and tarantulas, but there will also be more exotic species there, like the Mexican axolotl, a type of aquatic salamander, and the western hognose snake.

Lowder said the expo is especially perfect for beginner and first-time pet reptile owners, because it provides opportunities to learn about the essentials of keeping scaly animals as pets. But he added that it’s also a good idea to prepare yourself mentally for what you will see before you go, which will be thousands of reptiles and potential buyers or lookers in one room.

“Reptiles make fascinating pets, but people should always educate themselves before buying one and be able to meet the needs of the animal,” he said. “It’s true that for the most part, they can be less demanding pets than, say, a dog or a cat, but one thing most people don’t know for example is that most reptiles need ultraviolet lights. … So at the expo, you’ll be able to learn who would need that and why.”